Young Persons Practitioner

Role: Young Persons Practitioner

Location: Ferndown Dorset

Contract type:2-yearFixed-Term Contract until October 2027- Part Time (Working 30 hours a week)

Salary: 26000 per annum (pro rata)

Benefits:

• Basic annual leave of29 days PLUS bank holidays Pro rata

• 5 more days leave for continuous service PLUS the option to buy another 5 days every year

• Flexible maternity adoption and paternity packages.

• Up to 7% employer pension contribution.

• Blue Light Card eligibility with 15000 discounts from national retailers.

Vulnerablechildren in the UK need your help:

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family youll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.
Last year we helped more than 670000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood and the foundations they need to thrive.

WhyAction forChildren

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. Its the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that when we work together we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable childrens lives. We also have the Investor in People Silver Award!

About the Role:

Dorset Nightstop provides emergency accommodation for homeless young people aged between 16-25 years. The young people stay in the homes of carefully recruited fully checked and trained volunteers who are supported by project staff. Accommodation is agreed on a night-by-night basis.

The role:

As the Young Persons Practitioner you will join a fast-paced team in this exciting role within our Nightstop service. The role works in two ways you will build relationships with our current hosts to screen and help find the right accommodation for the young people who are referred to the service. On the flip side to this you will need to create and build trust and support with the young people so they feel they are welcomed into the service. You will join the team on a Fixed-Term Contract until October 2027 working 30 hours per week. This role will require some evening hours and on occasions working on an out-of-hours call rota team.

How youll make a difference:

• By providing the best support for the young people in our service.
• By attending meetings with various stakeholders.
• By responding to requests for accommodation.
• By developing and promoting the service.
• By promoting the service using various social media platforms.

What youll need:

• NVQ level 3 in Youth Work / Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Experience of working directly with young people
• Good IT skills word processing excel spreadsheets managing data base social media.
• Knowledge of youth work and participation
• Understanding of homelessness and other issues affecting young people
• Ability to manage competing demands efficiently and work under pressure.
• Transport of your own and to live quite locally.

Good to know.

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Interviews to take place in person on Thursday the 9th of October and Friday the 10th of October 2025.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details CV Supporting Statement & Information Equality & Diversity Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. Wed love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if youd rather we didnt.

Contact:Erika Brinkman atquoting reference 11935

Diversity equality and inclusion.

At Action for Children were dedicated to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace. Weactivelyencourageapplications from Black Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Dont meet every single requirement

If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with the job description wed love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children

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Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children - Driven by Love

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services